President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his administration’s readiness to promote national security and development, and its commitment to its vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong Nigeria.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces made the reiteration Thursday, 14 July, 2022, while speaking at the graduation ceremony of 247 students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.
TheFact Daily reports that the President, while reflecting briefly on the state of the Nigerian nation, particularly regarding national security, noted that “the last 12 years have been very challenging for our nation, considering the different security threats that have besieged the country”.
‘‘We shall be employing all elements of our national power in ensuring security, a just society, peaceful coexistence, national unity and sustainable development while promoting our good standing internationally”, he said.
Buhari commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, for their tireless efforts at combating insurgency, banditry, among other security threats facing the nation, and pledged that his government would continue to provide the needed support required to wipe out terrorists and insurgents ‘‘off the face of the earth.’’
Buhari noted that most of the security challenges facing the world today were both asymmetric and trans-border in nature, involving mainly non-state actors in different regions and sub-regions of the world, adding that the West African sub-region and indeed our beloved continent of Africa are not immune to these threats.
‘‘We have witnessed recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria bearing the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries. It will be part of your duty to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to our countries,’’ the President told the graduating students.
Appraising the ongoing collaboration of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Benin Republic and Chad in a multinational operation to combat the Boko Haram Insurgency in the Lake Chad region, the Nigerian leader said, it has been productive, commendable and successful.
‘‘The synergy achieved in operating together must have been enhanced by an understanding of the doctrines of the cooperating forces.
Describing Nigeria as still one of the most hospitable and enjoyable countries to visit and stay, despite her diversity and challenges, the President enjoined the Course 44 fellows to keep fond memories of the over 40-year college which prepares officers for tactical and operational level leadership, focusing on national security, joint planning processes, inter-agency cooperation and operations as well as multinational integration.
The C-in-C told the graduating students that their participation in the Course was a further testimony of national security aspirations to promote international peace, friendship and cooperation.
While noting that a lot of investment had been made in their training, President Buhari expressed confidence that the graduands had been sufficiently groomed in character and learning, to take up the challenges they would be confronted with thereafter.
In his welcome address, the Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Olurotimi Tuwase, explained that 111 army officers, 69 naval officers, 42 air force officers, 10 students from paramilitary organisations and Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as 15 international students completed the 48 weeks intensive training, leading to the award of Pass Staff Course (PSC).
He added that the international students on the Senior Course 44 were from Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Chad, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia.
The Commandant thanked the President for his unflinching support to the College, noting that students from the prestigious school have been sufficiently trained and equipped to cope with most challenges in their career, with the staff and leadership skills acquired in the College.
